Quinta da Cebola Vermelha

A restored farmhouse of Provençal inspiration with a shimmering pool and a sun-trap terrace, a short drive from a 5-mile beach

First and foremost this is a steal, but it’s not only the price that’s attractive; 'Red Onion Farm' is a delight from top to toe. Dutch run, warmly welcoming and quietly stylish - a country house in the sun. Orange, lemon and olive trees are scattered among beds of lavender in the well-kept garden. Step into a cool sitting room and find French windows that draw you out onto a bamboo-shaded terrace. Stop here for meals or follow a path down to a saltwater pool. You'll find a big terrace, cushioned benches and candle lanterns.

Back inside, a fire burns in winter, family portraits hang in an alcove and generously priced local wine waits at the honesty bar. Rooms are nicely simple, cooled by thick walls, with terracotta floors and shuttered windows. Some are big, some are smaller (but not small). You get crisp linen, rattan armchairs, underfloor heating and rafters painted white. Vibrant art by owners Ard and Noor adds colour; arched windows overlook the garden. The beach is close, as is golf at Vilamoura. You're in the middle of the Algarve, so whizz along the motorway and explore it all.

Highs

• This is a very pretty house with a terrifically seductive price; a winning combination
• The garden is beautiful, and the pool terrace has sun loungers and rush parasols
• This is a family affair: Ard cooks delicious dinners, and his wife Noor makes you feel very much at home
• You’re in the middle of the Algarve and can zip about with extreme ease
• Praia Felica (3 miles away) has 5 miles of sand, plus sunbeds and superb swimming or sailing

Lows

• Only one of the bedrooms has its own terrace, but there's plenty of space for lounging in the garden and by the pool
• The bathrooms are fine, but don’t expect cutting-edge design
• Double beds tend to be 2 singles pushed together